Syrian Special Forces have broken a long siege on the Aleppo Central Prison by foreign-backed militants, gaining access to the army garrison and resupplying it with food and munitions in a first move.

The Syrian military forces then deployed troops within 200 meters of the prison compound before storming its immediate surroundings, state news agency SANA reported.

Army units had earlier gained control over the town of Hilan and other areas in the vicinity of the prison before launching the main operation to eradicate the militant groups that had besieged the military compound for over 18 months.

At least fifty militants were killed in the attack. There are nearly 4,000 inmates in the sprawling prison.

The development came as government troops further carried out several operations on the axis of the industrial city, also near the Aleppo prison, Handarat, Hreitan, Kafar Saghir, Kafar Naha, the vicinity of the Infantry College, al-Kastello, Baidin, Jandoul, Azaz, al-Atareb, Mare', Daret Ezza and Andan, inflicting heavy blows on the foreign-sponsored militants.

In Daraa City, meanwhile, army units destroyed militant staging areas in the vicinity of al-Abbasa Bakery and the communication department, Sajna neighborhood and to the south of al-Khalil Mosque, killing many militants and destroying their armed vehicles.

Also in the outskirts of Idlib, Syrian forces targeted militant groups in the areas of Tal Salmo, Abu al-Dohour and Talab, killing and injuring scores of armed gangs.

Government troops also carried out operations against militant staging areas in neighborhoods of Taldo, Kifr Laha, Aqrab, al-Nasseryeh, Tal Dahab, Jisr al-Kharab and al-Wa'er in city of Homs, eliminating more armed elements.